Astros' DeShields charged with DUI

By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com

HOUSTON -- Delino DeShields Jr., the Astros' first-round Draft pick last year, was released early Sunday morning after being arrested in Georgia and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of alcohol by a minor and a traffic violation.

DeShields Jr., 18, was arrested by the Athens-Clark County Police Department and booked at 1:06 a.m. ET, according to jail computer records obtained by MLB.com. He was released after posting a $2,500 bond for the three offenses -- $500 for underage possession and the traffic violation and $1,500 for the DUI, all of which are misdemeanors.

The Astros selected DeShields Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2010 Draft and signed him to a $2.15 million bonus.

"Our position is it's a private, police matter and we don't have any comment on it," Astros general manager Ed Wade told MLB.com.

In a text message to MLB.com, DeShields Jr.'s agent, Adam Katz, declined comment. Deshields Jr., though, did post a statement on his Facebook page on Monday:

"I take the responsibility of being a role model seriously and apologize to my fans and community, who continue to support my family and I during this unfortunate incident. I look forward to putting this matter behind me and sincerely appreciate the respect of privacy during this personal matter."

DeShields Jr. signed late and played in only 18 games in the Minor Leagues, hitting a combined .289 in only 76 at-bats. He had 16 at-bats at rookie-league Greeneville and hit .313 and will continue to make the transition to second base this spring after playing the outfield in high school.

DeShields Jr. was drafted as a second baseman out of Woodward Academy in College Park, Ga., where he played the outfield. DeShields Jr. was the leadoff hitter for his private school and hit .415 and led the team in homers (nine), RBIs (40) and stolen bases (29).

He's the son of long-time Major Leaguer Delino DeShields, who manages in the Cincinnati organization.

Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.